love – The Beautiful Unfolding

Your Way is Love

S: Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. John 18:28 (NIV) O: I know all of this was necessary toContinue reading “Your Way is Love”

Help Me Love Well

S: So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 (NLT) O: You loved Your disciples even when they were still sinners – even knowing they would all abandon You – even deny knowing You. You humbled Yourself beforeContinue reading “Help Me Love Well”

Aren’t You Tired?

S: For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. John 12:43 (NLT) O: Their identity was found in what others thought of them, not in what God thought or said about them. Fear of losing man’s acceptance kept them from experiencing the full acceptance of God through Jesus. A: It’s a lotContinue reading “Aren’t You Tired?”

What’s the Attraction?

S: And a massive crowd of people followed him everywhere. They were attracted by his miracles and the healings they watched him perform. John 6:2 (TPT) O: Most of the masses were not interested in Jesus; they were there to witness the miraculous (v. 26) – maybe this was the first recorded FOMO (fear ofContinue reading “What’s the Attraction?”

Come & See

S: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14 (NLT) O: “He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” I imagine images of Jesus – unfailing inContinue reading “Come & See”

A Voice That Prevails

S: But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. Luke 23:23 (ESV) O: No matter Pilate’s desire, it was the voice of the crowd that prevailed. United, loud, and ungiving in its demands. I know this was necessary to fulfill the Scriptures, but I can’t helpContinue reading “A Voice That Prevails”

Let’s Get Creative!

S: “Even though his master was defrauded, when he found out about the shrewd way this manager had feathered his own nest, he congratulated the clever scoundrel for what he’d done to lay up for his future needs.” Jesus continued, “Remember this: The sons of darkness are more shrewd than the sons of light inContinue reading “Let’s Get Creative!”

Let LOVE Lead

S: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visitContinue reading “Let LOVE Lead”

Hard Truths

S: They said to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that you’re an honest man of integrity and you teach us the truth of God’s ways. We can clearly see that you’re not one who speaks only to win the people’s favor, because you speak the truth without regard to the consequences. Matthew 22:16b (TPT) O: HardContinue reading “Hard Truths”